ISLAND churches are open for people to pay their respects to HM Queen Elizabeth II, as the country says farewell to its beloved monarch.
Visitors are able to sign condolence books, light candles and say prayers in churches across the Isle of Wight as they give thanks to God for her life.

In many churches, muffled bells were also rung yesterday and flags lowered to half-mast, as a mark of respect.
Churches are throwing open their doors and hosting special services during the ten days of national mourning, offering a place of sanctuary as the congregations pray for the Queen, for the new King, and for the nation.

Newport Minster will be open from 10am on Sunday (September 11), with a special service of Holy Communion on Sunday evening at 6pm.

The bells will be rung half-muffled at the Minster from 6pm on Sunday.

Elsewhere on the Isle of Wight, All Saints Church, Gurnard, is among the churches that are also open. You are welcome to sit quietly, light a candle or write in the book of condolence between 10.30am and 4pm.

There's a commemorative service at St James's Church in East Cowes at 9.30am tomorrow. 

At St Mildred's Church in Whippingham there's a cream tea event from 3pm to 5pm, with live praise and worship with Jo Walkden.

Christ Church, Sandown said: "There will be a service at Christ Church on Sunday morning, at 11am, in which tribute will be paid to the Queen and her service to this nation and you would be very welcome to join us on this sad occasion."

Many of the Island churches will be open tomorrow and will welcome people who wish to remember the Queen.

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Scroll down for video of the bellringing

Anyone looking for a cathedral experience is welcome at Portsmouth Cathedral, where the opening hours have been extended to 8am-7pm during the period of mourning. The cathedral was open until 10pm on the day the Queen's death was announced, and a steady stream of people have visited to sign its condolence book. A thanksgiving service for the Queen’s life will take place in Portsmouth Cathedral at 3pm on Sunday, September 18.

Also tomorrow, Sunday, following a centuries' old tradition, there will be a local Proclamation to announce the accession to the throne of our new monarch, King Charles III, to be held in Newport.

Residents are invited to join the High Sheriff of the Isle of Wight, Kay Marriott, and His Majesty's Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Brigadier Maurice Sheen, in St Thomas' Square, Newport, for the reading of the Proclamation at 1pm.